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Pre-Match Report

Facts preview: The highest-scoring pairing in league history

Borussia Dortmund versus VfB Stuttgart is the highest-scoring pairing in the history of the Bundesliga – in the run-up to Matchday 4 at least. Of the 364 goals in total, 178 have been scored by VfB and 186 by BVB. The pairing of Bayern vs. Bremen, which is also on the fixture calendar for this weekend, is narrowly behind in the ranking with 363 goals. The facts preview prior to the away game in Stuttgart on Sunday.

The scenario: Vice-champions VfB Stuttgart have started the Bundesliga campaign with a victory (in Gladbach on Matchday 3), a draw (against Mainz) and a defeat (in their opening game in Freiburg). BVB are one of five teams that are still unbeaten and occupy second spot in the table with seven points.

Home/away: VfB have come out on top in only two of their previous 12 Bundesliga home games against BVB (both by 2-1 scorelines on 17 November 2017 and 11 November 2023). Including last season too, the Swabians have won three of their last four home games and are unbeaten in 13 matches at their own stadium. Their most recent home defeat came on 28 October 2023, when they lost 3-2 to Hoffenheim. BVB were on a successful run on their travels at the beginning of the year (six wins and two draws), but then lost both of their final away matches of the 2023/24 season and finished in third place in the away table with 30 points. Their first away match of this season in Bremen ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

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Head-to-head record: The Black & Yellows lost both league clashes and a cup tie against the Swabians last season (prior to that there had been four wins in a row). That means the opposition are now narrowly ahead in the head-to-head statistics. Their 108 Bundesliga meetings have produced 42 VfB wins, 25 draws and 41 BVB triumphs. VfB Stuttgart finished ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the final table for the first time in 15 years in 2023/24.

Statistics: Including last season, Stuttgart have lost only one of their last seven Bundesliga matches and have always scored at least one goal in their last 19 outings. Only Bayern Munich boast a better goal difference (+8) than Borussia Dortmund (+4). Only Union Berlin have conceded fewer goals to date (one) than BVB (two), who have already kept two clean sheets.

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Last season: Stuttgart recorded a shot count of 16-2 before the break but could not get the better of the outstanding Gregor Kobel, who made great saves but also gave away two penalties (for fouls on SIlas and Undav). He saved the first one from Führich (11th minute) but could not keep out the second from Guirassy to make it 2-1 to VfB in the 83rd minute. Prior to that, Füllkrug had scored to make it 1-0 in the 36th minute and Undav had levelled at 1-1 (42).

Biggest away victory: BVB won 5-0 at the Neckar on 16 March 1996. After 30 minutes and with an early lead (Riedle, 17), Borussia grew increasingly dominant. The outstanding Sammer and Zorc (one goal and one assist) consistently drove the team forward. Riedle and Chapuisat (two goals and one assist) improved by the minute and Ricken (one goal and one assist) repeatedly pushed forward into attack.
Compiled by Boris Rupert

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